Big Sky suspends refs over blown call

HELENA, Mont.  The Big Sky Conference suspended three officials for their incorrect ruling in the Montana-Idaho State last weekend, commissioner Doug Fullerton said Monday.

Eric Curry, Bob Scofield and Scott Harris will be suspended for one game each.

In Sunday's game at Pocatello, Idaho, the score was tied at 58 in the final seconds when a Montana player called for a timeout after securing a rebound.

According to a statement from the conference, television replays confirmed the timeout was recognized by the officials before the final horn.

The statement said Montana had used its allotment of timeouts and should have been called for a technical foul, awarding Idaho State two free throw attempts with time still on the clock. After the technical foul shots, Montana should have taken possession, the statement said.

Instead, the officials ruled that the timeout was recognized simultaneously with the final horn.

Curry, the head official, made the incorrect call, said Jon Kasper, director of media relations for the Big Sky. However, the game was televised, so all three officials had the option to use replay to determine how much time remained when the timeout was recognized.

They chose not to review the play, and Montana went on to win the game 73-62 in overtime.

"We give officials great flexibility to interpret plays within the rules," Fullerton said. "We never allow officials to set aside a rule. We're not sure whether the game would have ended on the free throw line, but Idaho State should have been given that opportunity."

Reached at his office in Minneapolis on Monday, Curry declined to comment.

The NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee does not recognize or allow protests, so the outcome of the game will not change, the statement said.